Job Seeker
Do’s and Don’ts of Job Hunting Visit the Job Bank
Do
- Network by asking your friends, family, community members and guidance counsellors if they know of anyone hiring in your field. This has a 33% success rate. Sign up for the VEQ job notifier in the job bank! Never miss a posting or a deadline again.
- Knock on doors of employers, organizations and businesses you would like to work for whether they are hiring or not. (47% success rate)
- Look in the Yellow Pages to identify organizations and companies that interest you and then call the employers to find out whether they are hiring for a position that would interest you. This has a 69% success rate.
- Know Yourself! Know your skills and the fields in which you want to use these skills. Talk with people who work in areas or with companies where you would like to work. Find out how they got their job and how they like it.
- Be Proactive and Creative in your job search. Search the internet and local networks, research and visit organizations and companies; find the person who does the hiring and discuss your interest in the company. Ask questions and make yourself known!
Don’t
- Randomly hand out resumes to employers. Make sure your resume is tailored to the job your are applying for. Randomly handing out resumes has a 7% success rate
- Answer ads in other parts of the country. This method has a 10% success rate.
- Search only online: Confining your job search to online sites such as Monster or Jobboom limits your chances of finding employment and has a 4% success rate. Use the tips listed above to diversify your job search.
Do!
Contact the FORT program at the Valcartier Military Family Resource Centre to:
- Meet with a guidance counsellor
- Discuss your employment and vocational goals
- Access to up-to-date information on the job market and employment opportunities
- Write a resumé and cover letter
- Bilingual Services Available
Sainte-Foy Location 418-649-6505 or 418-844-6060
2630 Boul. Hochelaga
Quebec, QC G1V 0H2
info@crfmv.com
Assess your resume
To assess your resume, answer yes or no to the following questions. Is your resume :
- easy to read?
- well-spaced?
- efficient and clear?
- brief?
- positive?
- convincing?
- honest?
- precise?
- without errors or mistakes?
- creative?
- adapted to the position?
- unique?
- reflect yourself?
Do you like your resume? If you answered NO to any of the questions above contact the FORT program at the Valcartier Family Centre to help update your resume.
Resume do’s & don’t
Here are some tips when writing a resumé.
Do!
- Keep resumé brief, simple and to the point
- Highlight your skills, competencies, acquired knowledge and potential
- Make direct links between your skills and training and those needed for the position
- Use headings to organize yourself
- Possibilities include: Personal Information(name, address, phone number email), Education; Work Experience, Volunteer Experience, Hobbies
- Should include where and when you acquired your diplomas and degrees, the positions you have held and other activities
- Leave sufficient space between lines and margins
- If using more than one page, do not cut paragraphs in two and try not to cut a section, if possible
- Mention only pertinent information
- Explore different types of resumes: chronological, functional, combined and mixed. Find that one that best suits you!
- Print on white paper and use a quality printer
- Write your resumé with care
- Read and reread.
- Make sure you like your resumé, that it reflects you and it’s something you’re proud of!
Don’t!
- Exceed 2 pages. Keep your resumé between 1-2 pages stapled
- Never sign or date your resumé (This is done on the cover letter)
- Do not attach a photo or a plastic cover page
- Do not fold or use coloured paper
- Do not attached letters of reference with your resumé
- Do not include personal information such as social insurance number, birthdate or age, birthplace, sex, health or marital status
- Do not attach transcripts of courses and marks
- Avoid simply enumerating past positions
- Avoid long descriptions of positions held or tasks accomplished
- Do not mention past or desired salary
- Do not indicate reasons why you left past positions
- No spelling or grammar mistakes
- As much as possible, avoid abbreviations
Free Career Services. Wherever you are in Quebec. Get online career counselling with YES Montreal!
Looking for a job in Quebec City? Your job searching techniques can mean the difference between frustration and success. Whether you’re looking for part-time work or a full-time career, YES offers free personalized career development and job search services for individuals up to 35 years old to help you jump-start your career. Career Counselling is offered online to Quebecers and workshops are accessible free of charge. Call 1-888-614-9788 ext 320 to make your appointment now or register online at www.yesmontreal.ca.
Also, check out these quick tip tutorials from YES Montreal on putting together a great resume, preparing for an interview or building your network!
These short clips will help you put your best foot forward, build your network of connections and make your next job interview work for you!
Access the Quick Tips playlist here and watch all three videos >>> http://bit.ly/YESQuickTips
Entrepreneurs
YES in Quebec City
Start, Grow & Expand Your Business TODAY!
Looking to start, grow or expand your business? YES Montreal, in partnership with Voice of English-speaking Québec, offers Professional Business Coaching Services either in person or online. Make an appointment to meet with YES Montreal’s business coach the next time that he is in Québec City, or sign-up for online business coaching!
Receive practical and professional advice from YES’ business coach on any matter relating to your business ideas or current business operations.
Outlined below are just a few of the services that coaches can offer to prospective or established entrepreneurs:
- Answering your business questions
- Evaluating your business ideas
- Providing advice on how to finance your business
- Helping you create or modify your business plan
- Providing assistance to reach your goals
Learn more about YES Business Coaching through this video: Click here!
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to help you get your business ideas off the ground and running.
Follow VEQ on Facebook and on our events page to see when the next YES business coaching session will be in Québec City!
Upcoming dates:
- August 27, 28, 29th
- September 24, 25, 26th
- October 29, 30, 31st
- November 20 and 21st
- December 17 and 18th
*One-time $20 file activation fee, plus you will have unlimited access to online coaching.
Don’t delay your business ideas, sign up with a business coach TODAY!
For more information on online coaching call 1-888-614-9788 ext. 316 to register or visit YES Montreal‘s website
For all inquiries about Professional Business Coaching in Quebec City, please contact: VEQ at info@veq.ca or 418-683-2366 ext. 225.
VEQ’s Community Connection Directory
Are you interested in advertising your business or services to the English-speaking community? Our Community Connection directory is one of the best tools we use to connect with the English-speaking community.